Briefly

2013 Classic Champ Cliff Pace

Hunting injury sidelines 2013 Classic champion

Cliff Pace, the 2013 Classic champion, won't be fishing in the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic because of a deer stand accident that happened Friday afternoon.

Pace broke his left leg in two places while bow hunting for deer near his home in Petal, Miss. "I was actually done with my hunt and climbing down from the stand when the accident happened," said Pace. "It was a cold day, even here in southern Mississippi, and I had cotton gloves on. Part-way down my hand slipped out of the glove, and that's when I fell."

Pace tried to push away from the tree so he wouldn't land on his back or head. He was successful on that front, landing on his feet. But his left foot landed in a hole and jarred his leg enough to break it in two places, once above the knee and once below it. And in the process, he also tore the ACL in his left knee. Pace, who was hunting by himself, tried to walk out but quickly realized he was dealing with a serious injury.

"I called a friend to come get me, and the whole 45 minutes I was waiting for him to come I was thinking about Guntersville (2014 Classic site)," he said. "Guntersville is one of those Classics where records will likely be set. It's disheartening not to be able to compete."